Poppies On the Green

Poppies On The Green Display Defies Covid-19.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII, 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain as well as Operation Dynamo (Dunkirk).

‘Poppies On The Green’ had already begun working on ideas for their display intended for The Green in Shirehampton, Bristol with a fundraiser show at the local Public Hall and engaging Arts Enlarged for their assistance. Then the Coronavirus arrived, we ended up in lockdown and all plans were put on hold.

In the months following, plans were curtailed for something simpler but equally as stunning.

This was goingto be a community project but even that had it’s obstacles. The ‘painting poppies’ sessions were suspende d and changed to ‘painting poppies at home’. The local schools were invited to provide art work that would be showcased in the local High Street shops and business. Just as plans were well underway a second lockdown happened and they lost the volunteerswho were hoping to help put up the displays on The Green. However all was not lost and the ‘Poppies On The Green’ display was put up on Saturday 7th November. Although Shirehampton village was quieter than normal passers by shouted words of encouragement. Covid-19 may have done it’s best at stopping the display going ahead but it didn’t reckon with the people behind this community project. The display will remain on The Green until Monday 16th November.

Ash Bearman and Kathryn Courtney-O’Neill head up “Poppies On The Green” and this yearhad additional help from Sally-Ann Knowlson – local artist and crafter – who was responsible for making the silhouette soldiers, and Tracy Zehtabi of Chatty Crafts who arranged the High Street shop displays with the artwork provided by local school children from Shirehampton Primary School, St. Bernards Primary School and Kings Weston School.

Additional painted poppies for the displays were provided by friends and volunteers by painting ‘poppies at home’ and additional materials were donated by D&D Locksmiths, Ocean Estate Agents, Shirehampton Cricket Club, Shire Christmas Illuminations, Colin Godfrey and Daphne Llewellyn. In fact the poppies display on The Green is 90% recycled or upcycled materials, doing their bit for the environment.

Feedback for the ‘Poppies On The Green Display’ has been positive and reaction has been amazing. Even our resident silhouette soldiers Reg and Les, have been socially distancing on The Green and are named after Sally’s relatives who lived in the cottages nearby. A fundraising page has since been set up by the organisers for the Royal British Legion. You can find out more information and photographs for Poppies On The Green here: www.facebook.com/poppiesonthegreen

Ash Bearman from Shirehampton Community Action Forum (SCAF) that supports ‘Poppies On The Green’ said “We were determined to get the poppies display on The Green this year. We have overcome so many obstacles and with no church service of Remembrance or commemoration at the local war memorial, we wanted to make sure that those that gave their lives and those that returned had not been forgotten and will always be remembered. With all our events and activities having been cancelled this year we wanted something that people could focus on during this time. It couldn’t have happened without all the people that took part in making ‘Poppies On The Green’ a success this year.”

Photos by Kacey-Oneill Photography